Blumhouse is making moves to take over the Saw franchise. The horror powerhouse behind The Purge, Paranormal Activity, and The Black Phone appears to be acquiring the rights from Twisted Pictures, the company that co-founded and co-owned the IP alongside Lionsgate.
The deal brings filmmaker James Wan, who co-created the franchise with Leigh Whannell, back into partial control of the property through his company Atomic Monster, which merged with Blumhouse in 2024.
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Lionsgate Still Involved
As first reported by Deadline, the deal sees Blumhouse acquiring the perspective rights to Twisted Pictures’ share of the franchise, while Lionsgate remains onboard as a 50% stakeholder. While there is no new Saw movie in development just yet, this acquisition could potentially reignite plans for the long-stalled Saw XI or pave the way for new directions—possibly even a streaming series.
Wan directed the original 2004 Saw, which cost just $1.2 million to make and went on to earn over $104 million worldwide. Since then, the franchise has expanded to 10 films and grossed over $1 billion globally. Beyond the big screen, the IP includes comic books, video games, theme park attractions, and a wide range of merchandise.
What Happened to Saw XI?
The most recent entry, Saw X, released in 2023, earned $112 million globally and was praised by many fans as a return to form. A follow-up, Saw XI, had been slated for a 2025 release with Kevin Greutert set to return as director and a script by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. However, creative differences between Lionsgate and the producers reportedly led to the project being shelved earlier this year.
It’s unclear whether Blumhouse will revisit those plans or forge a new direction entirely.
A New Chapter in Creative Ownership
The acquisition highlights a broader trend of filmmakers reclaiming control of their creations. Wan and Whannell first introduced Saw to Hollywood with a low-budget short that caught the attention of Twisted Pictures producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules. Now, over two decades later, Wan may once again help steer the fate of one of horror’s most brutal and influential franchises.
Whether Jigsaw’s next appearance comes in cinemas or on streaming, one thing is clear: Saw lives on. Stay tuned!
